About this Experience

Are you currently exploring the wild expanses of Western Uganda, or living and working in the region? Kitara Foundation for Sustainable Tourism, in partnership with the Fort Portal City Walkers, invites you to lace up your boots for the ultimate weekend immersion: "Hiking with the Locals." Every weekend, we hit the trails to uncover the hidden ridges, crater rims, and cultural pathways of Fort Portal. This isn't just a walk; it’s a community-led movement that bridges the gap between global citizens and local custodians of the land. Why Hike with the Fort Portal City Walkers? Navigating the beautiful landscapes of the Rwenzori foothills is one thing, but traversing them alongside the people who call them home is a completely different experience. Here is why joining the club changes the way you travel: • True Trail Authenticity: Forget the tourist maps. The City Walkers take you along ancient footpaths, through community farmlands, and up secret ridges that aren't on any navigation app. • Cultural and Social Connection: You will hike shoulder-to-shoulder with local professionals, students, elders, and conservationists. It is a vibrant, organic space for storytelling, laughter, and genuine cross-cultural friendship. • Safety in Community: Walking with a structured local club ensures you are accompanied by passionate pathfinders who know the terrain, the local dialects, and the micro-climates of the region like the back of their hands. • The Pearl Accord in Action: Your participation directly supports sustainable tourism. By hiking with us, you help generate alternative livelihoods for community trail guides and support conservation awareness programs along the trail routes. An Open Invitation to the Region's Explorers Whether you are in the region for a few days of safari or a few years on a development project, our weekend hikes are designed to be your perfect cultural connection point. To Our Regional Travelers & Trekkers • Coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park? Trade the wide savanna plains and game-drive vehicles for an active, muscle-stretching foot safari through lush, green landscapes. • Descending the Rwenzori Peaks? If you’ve just conquered the high-altitude glaciers, come share your summit stories over a gentler, celebratory ridge-walk with our members. • Exploring Semuliki National Park or Kibale? Transition from the deep, humid hot springs and dense primate jungles into the refreshing, breezy heights of Fort Portal's crater rims. To Foreign Workers, Volunteers, and Expats If you are stationed in or around Fort Portal working with NGOs, healthcare programs, or research institutes, the City Walkers club is your weekly breath of fresh air. It is the best way to break out of the office enclosure, shake off the work week, meet incredible neighbors, and truly integrate into the local community. Trail Details & How to Join • When: Every Saturday and Sunday morning. • Where: Meet-up points rotate weekly around Fort Portal City landmarks. • Pace: Inclusive and welcoming to all fitness levels—from brisk trail blazers to conversational walkers. Ready to see Fort Portal through the eyes of its people? Contact Kitara Foundation today to get this weekend's trail map and join the Fort Portal City Walkers!